England require victory over Poland at Wembley on
Tuesday to reach next summer's World Cup in
Brazil after a convincing win against Montenegro.
Tottenham winger Andros Townsend rewarded
manager Roy Hodgson's surprise decision to give him
his international debut with an outstanding display that
brought next summer's showpiece clearly into view.
England needed three points after closest Group H
rivals Ukraine had earlier beaten Poland - and 22-year-
old Townsend provided the inspiration following 45
minutes of goalless frustration that increased the
tension inside Wembley.
Townsend's superb run helped set up Wayne Rooney's
49th-minute opener and England looked to be secure
when Montenegro's Branko Boskovic sliced Danny
Welbeck's cross into his own net.
Dejan Damjanovic threatened to set up an anxious
finale when he pulled a goal back in a rare moment of
danger from the visitors.
But it was fitting that Townsend should add his own
even more significant contribution - a low, swerving
finish past Montenegro keeper Vukasin Poleksic to
restore England's two-goal advantage.
Daniel Sturridge's injury-time penalty put added gloss
on an England performance which fully merited the
outcome and will have lifted confidence ahead of
another crucial Wembley meeting with old adversaries
Poland, who famously blocked their path to the 1974
World Cup.
And, though England spirits will be high, that historic
example of Polish defiance, coupled with the knowledge
that Ukraine meet minnows San Marino in their final
game, will leave Hodgson aware of the work to be done
to clear the final hurdle.
The England boss exuded positivity in the pre-match
build up and that was reflected in a bold team selection
- with Townsend chosen ahead of James Milner.
Apart from very isolated moments, England spent most
of the first half in Montenegro territory without being
able to convert the chances that came their way.
Everton's Leighton Baines, deputising for the injured
Ashley Cole, was a standout performer as the home
side dominated possession and territory, creating
chances for Welbeck and captain Steven Gerrard that
brought saves from Poleksic.
England's best chance of the half came when
Townsend's shot was pushed out by Poleksic and
Rooney could only hit the outside of the post from an
angle when he should have scored.
And in a frantic conclusion to the half, Welbeck saw a
shot deflected wide, while Sturridge was off target and
had another shot blocked.
With news of Ukraine's win against Poland confirmed
during the interval, England's urgency for a goal
increased - and it was Rooney who obliged four
minutes after the restart.
So much of the credit must go to Townsend, who
picked out Welbeck after a long, surging run down the
right flank. Poleksic again failed to hold the Manchester
United striker's shot and Rooney was lurking to
complete the job.
The goal stung Montenegro into action and Joe Hart
was forced into his first serious work of the night to
turn away Damjanovic's header from Nikola Drincic's
free-kick.
England's second goal had an element of farce as
Boskovic turned Welbeck's effort into his own net, but
that signalled Montenegro's most threatening spell of
the game.
Manchester City's Stevan Jovetic struck the bar from 25
yards then Damjanovic poached a goal as he turned
Fatos Beqiraj's shot past Hart.
Townsend's spectacular strike settled any nerves and
Sturridge got on the scoresheet from the spot after he
had been fouled by Ivan Kecojevic to complete a highly
satisfactory night for Hodgson and England.
Tuesday to reach next summer's World Cup in
Brazil after a convincing win against Montenegro.
Tottenham winger Andros Townsend rewarded
manager Roy Hodgson's surprise decision to give him
his international debut with an outstanding display that
brought next summer's showpiece clearly into view.
England needed three points after closest Group H
rivals Ukraine had earlier beaten Poland - and 22-year-
old Townsend provided the inspiration following 45
minutes of goalless frustration that increased the
tension inside Wembley.
Townsend's superb run helped set up Wayne Rooney's
49th-minute opener and England looked to be secure
when Montenegro's Branko Boskovic sliced Danny
Welbeck's cross into his own net.
Dejan Damjanovic threatened to set up an anxious
finale when he pulled a goal back in a rare moment of
danger from the visitors.
But it was fitting that Townsend should add his own
even more significant contribution - a low, swerving
finish past Montenegro keeper Vukasin Poleksic to
restore England's two-goal advantage.
Daniel Sturridge's injury-time penalty put added gloss
on an England performance which fully merited the
outcome and will have lifted confidence ahead of
another crucial Wembley meeting with old adversaries
Poland, who famously blocked their path to the 1974
World Cup.
And, though England spirits will be high, that historic
example of Polish defiance, coupled with the knowledge
that Ukraine meet minnows San Marino in their final
game, will leave Hodgson aware of the work to be done
to clear the final hurdle.
The England boss exuded positivity in the pre-match
build up and that was reflected in a bold team selection
- with Townsend chosen ahead of James Milner.
Apart from very isolated moments, England spent most
of the first half in Montenegro territory without being
able to convert the chances that came their way.
Everton's Leighton Baines, deputising for the injured
Ashley Cole, was a standout performer as the home
side dominated possession and territory, creating
chances for Welbeck and captain Steven Gerrard that
brought saves from Poleksic.
England's best chance of the half came when
Townsend's shot was pushed out by Poleksic and
Rooney could only hit the outside of the post from an
angle when he should have scored.
And in a frantic conclusion to the half, Welbeck saw a
shot deflected wide, while Sturridge was off target and
had another shot blocked.
With news of Ukraine's win against Poland confirmed
during the interval, England's urgency for a goal
increased - and it was Rooney who obliged four
minutes after the restart.
So much of the credit must go to Townsend, who
picked out Welbeck after a long, surging run down the
right flank. Poleksic again failed to hold the Manchester
United striker's shot and Rooney was lurking to
complete the job.
The goal stung Montenegro into action and Joe Hart
was forced into his first serious work of the night to
turn away Damjanovic's header from Nikola Drincic's
free-kick.
England's second goal had an element of farce as
Boskovic turned Welbeck's effort into his own net, but
that signalled Montenegro's most threatening spell of
the game.
Manchester City's Stevan Jovetic struck the bar from 25
yards then Damjanovic poached a goal as he turned
Fatos Beqiraj's shot past Hart.
Townsend's spectacular strike settled any nerves and
Sturridge got on the scoresheet from the spot after he
had been fouled by Ivan Kecojevic to complete a highly
satisfactory night for Hodgson and England.
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